Training and technology were identified as two important areas to address during this morning’s Roadway Worker Protection Summit, the kick-off event of ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.

“Training is absolutely critical,” said Kathi Holst, a four-decade member of the industry, an ATSSA board member and president & CEO of RCMS in Naperville, Ill. “If we aren’t providing training … we are negligent.”

Holst was one of four panelists for the Summit, which addressed both prevention of work zone incidents and resources for use if the worst happens and an employee gets killed on the job. ATSSA Vice President of Education & Technical Services Donna Clark and ATSS Foundation Chair Dave Krahulec moderated the discussion, which also included Doug Dolinar, who is president of Guidemark Inc. of Souderton, Pa., and also an ATSSA board member.

ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo begins today, launching with a Roadway Worker Protection Summit at 10 a.m. EST that includes a panel discussion about ways to protect employees and what to do if tragedy strikes.

Hear from people who have walked that tough journey and bring your own ideas to share.

It’s not too late to register for everything this two-week, online event has to offer including MUTCD chats, nearly 50 education sessions, multiple networking events, industry panels, a government advocacy event and national awards. This event provides a unique opportunity to make vital connections with members of the roadway safety industry.

As more states move to legalize marijuana and decriminalize other controlled substances, employers face increasing challenges and liability from employment-related claims in the workplace.

From demands to accommodate medical marijuana use in the workplace to disability related accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to navigate evolving state laws decriminalizing marijuana while federal law continues to prohibit marijuana and other controlled substances.

From the ADA to OSHA to workers compensation claims involving impaired employees, this education session – “The Grass Isn’t Always Greener: The Impact of Increased Marijuana Legalization on the Workplace and Other Employment Law Developments” -evaluates employers’ legal duties while providing practical advice to help avoid employment claims. This is one of nearly 50 education sessions offered at ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. It concludes with a look ahead at emerging law trends that may impact your company in 2021, including claims emerging from COVID-19 and new federal and state regulations.

The demand for rideshare continues to grow across the globe. It is becoming increasingly important that traffic control design specialists understand the nuances of how companies like Uber work to streamline pick-ups, drop-offs and vehicle routing for the 35%+ of Americans who use ridesharing apps and are able to leave their own cars at home.

Whether it be event planning, emergency responses or long-term construction projects, there are significant benefits to understanding how rideshare functions and how to best incorporate it in the planning process.

Join Katie Savarise and Ben Kemp of Uber for “Effectively Integrating Rideshare into Traffic Management Plans” on Feb. 8, from 1- 2 p.m. EST. It is one of nearly 50 education sessions offered during ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo being held online Feb. 8-12 and 16-18.

ATSSA’s 2021 Convention & Traffic Expo is nearly here and final touches are being put in place. For people who have never had the opportunity to attend, this year’s event is fully online so it’s the perfect opportunity to find out what you’ve been missing and take in activities that are new this year.

Registration is open for the event that runs Feb. 8-12 and 16-18. Check out the full schedule that includes two general sessions packed with panels addressing key industry information. Plus, nearly 50 education sessions await on topics from addressing personnel challenges to the latest on technology issues including connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) and pavement markings.

Attendees can also take part in as many as six discussions with their colleagues about the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) in the Conversation Lounge within the online platform.